YOUR WORD IS A LAMP FOR MY FEET

Psalm 119:89-112 / Keywords 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

 

119:89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;

    it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

    you established the earth, and it endures.

91 Your laws endure to this day,

    for all things serve you.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

    I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

    for by them you have preserved my life.

94 Save me, for I am yours;

    I have sought out your precepts.

95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,

    but I will ponder your statutes.

96 To all perfection I see a limit,

    but your commands are boundless.

97 Oh, how I love your law!

    I meditate on it all day long.

98 Your commands are always with me

    and make me wiser than my enemies.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,

    for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders,

    for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path

    so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws,

    for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;

    therefore I hate every wrong path.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,

    a light on my path.

106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

    that I will follow your righteous laws.

107 I have suffered much;

    preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,

    and teach me your laws.

109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,

    I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me,

    but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;

    they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees

    to the very end.[d]

Footnotes

d. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward

 

1. (89-96) God’s word is eternal, his faithfulness continues, and his laws endure. All things serve him. The psalmist testified that God’s word preserved his life. The wicked sought to destroy him, so he prayed, “Save me, for I am yours.” Our lives are limited, but God’s word is boundless.

2. (97-104) Wisdom is to choose what is good and to reject what is evil. By loving and delighting in God’s word, the psalmist received wisdom, insight, and understanding to defeat his enemies and to rival his teachers. God’s word tasted sweeter than honey and enabled him to hate every wrong and evil path.

3. (105-112) God’s word is a lamp for our feet, a light on our path. The psalmist promised to follow God’s word. He suffered much to keep his faith. He prayed: preserve my life, accept my praise, teach me your ways. God’s statutes were his heart’s joy. His heart was set on keeping God’s decrees to the end.

Prayer Lord, thank you for your eternal word which is our wisdom, life, and light. In this confusing world of many paths, help us to love you, delight in your word, and hate and reject every evil path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word God’s word is our wisdom and light